Aquarius Water-Based Softener - 1kg
Water-based ink additive designed to improve the hand feel and softness of Zodiac™ Aquarius™ water-based screen printing inks while maintaining professional print performance.
Characteristics
Aquarius Water-Based Softener is a specialty additive developed for use with the Zodiac™ Aquarius™ water-based ink system. It is formulated to improve the finished hand feel of printed garments, helping screen printers produce softer, more comfortable prints on a variety of textile substrates.
Aquarius Softener can be incorporated into compatible Aquarius water-based inks when additional softness is desired. Avient recommends an addition rate of 1–5%, allowing printers to adjust the formulation according to the ink, garment, and desired finished feel.
The additive is particularly useful for applications where a soft-hand print is a priority. It is part of the Aquarius additive system, which also includes products for modifying viscosity, open time, fixation, and other printing characteristics.
- Improves the hand feel of Aquarius water-based inks
- Helps create softer, more comfortable finished prints
- Designed specifically for the Zodiac™ Aquarius™ ink system
- Recommended addition rate of 1–5%
- Easy to incorporate into compatible Aquarius ink formulations
- Allows softness to be adjusted according to the application
- Suitable for professional textile screen printing
- Part of the complete Aquarius additive system
- Water-based formulation
- Non-PVC and non-phthalate
Aquarius Softener is itself an additive and may be used alongside other compatible Aquarius additives when the finished ink formulation requires additional adjustment.
- Aquarius Retarder: Add 1–3% to increase open time.
- Aquarius Retarder Gel: Add 1–5% to increase open time.
- Aquarius Thickener: Add 0.1–1% to increase viscosity.
- Aquarius Fixer: Add 1–10% to improve fixation or reduce cure temperature.
When combining multiple additives, test the complete formulation before production to confirm that the desired printing and performance characteristics are maintained.
- Add 1–5% Aquarius Softener to the compatible Aquarius ink formulation.
- Begin at the lower end of the recommended range and increase as necessary to achieve the desired hand feel.
- Measure the additive accurately for consistent production results.
- Mix thoroughly to ensure the Softener is evenly dispersed throughout the ink.
- Follow the printing recommendations for the specific Aquarius base or ink being modified.
- Follow the curing requirements for the complete finished ink formulation.
- Test the complete formulation on the intended fabric before beginning production.
- Verify finished hand feel after the ink has been properly cured.
- Check colorfastness and print durability after modifying the ink.
- Keep the container properly sealed during storage.
- Store above 40°F (5°C) and below 77°F (25°C).
Aquarius Water-Based Softener is an ink additive and is not intended to be used as a standalone printing ink. It should be incorporated into a compatible Zodiac™ Aquarius™ water-based ink formulation at the recommended addition rate.
The recommended addition rate is 1–5%. Begin at the lower end of the range and increase only as needed to achieve the desired finished hand feel.
Adding Aquarius Softener modifies the characteristics of the original ink formulation. Final performance can vary depending on the Aquarius base, pigment loading, substrate, additive percentage, curing conditions, and printing process.
The specific Aquarius ink or base being modified should determine mesh selection, printing parameters, flashing requirements, curing conditions, and garment compatibility.
For production work, always test the finished formulation on the actual garment and confirm acceptable hand feel, colorfastness, cure, adhesion, and print durability before beginning the full production run.
- Improving the hand feel of Aquarius water-based inks
- Producing softer-feeling textile prints
- Garments where comfort and soft hand are a priority
- Adjusting compatible Aquarius production ink formulations
- Water-based textile screen printing
- 100% cotton applications with compatible Aquarius inks
- Blended fabrics with compatible Aquarius inks
- Synthetic fabrics when compatible with the selected Aquarius ink system
- Professional screen printing production environments
- Shops using the Zodiac™ Aquarius™ water-based ink system
